Faith always had a love for numbers and a love for God. As she studied at university, she knew she wanted to work somewhere that allowed her to combine both those passions.
From a young age, Faith Chipeta (Malawi) had a love for numbers. After completing secondary school, Faith attended Malawi College for Accountancy and worked towards a degree in applied accounting, auditing and information systems, with the goal of one day working in a bank or accounting. While in school, Faith worked in her church’s finance office every Sunday, counting the tithes and offerings. This is when Faith had a life-changing realisation that she could work in finance “not just for the money but also to help people who are serving God in ministry,” Faith recalled.
Finding identity in Christ
Faith grew up in a Christian family, with her father being a pastor, but for a while, Christianity was an expectation set forth by her parents, and a requirement to fulfil.
“Whether you like it or not, you have to go to church,” Faith remembered. “You go to church because it’s a rule in the house; you have to go to church. You have to have a Bible study before you go to bed, and you have to pray.”
Gradually, as Faith took part in church activities, the more she wanted to be involved with the church and serve the Lord. Her father was also an instrumental role model. As a pastor and a soldier, he balanced the two professions, remaining committed to the church and discipling others while working in the army.
“Being passionate about God — how [my father] wanted to serve God, how he wanted to help other people to know Jesus Christ — that also developed something in me that pushed me to say ‘this is the right thing to do but also, this is what God has commanded me to do,’” Faith shared.
As young children, Faith and her friends learnt to turn to prayer in difficult situations. This act of gathering and praying over a problem helped Faith grow closer to God. When Faith was about 16 years old, she was sick almost every month and spent time in the hospital. She missed a lot of school and eventually her mom took her to the interim pastor of their church and asked for prayer.
“The moment that I prayed with my mom, the pastor and a few members of my church, I never got sick again,” Faith shared. “I think that’s where my faith grew.”
Listening to the Lord’s calling
As Faith began thinking about what she wanted her career to be, she didn’t have much interest in working for a missions organisation because of the stereotype she had heard that ministry workers face financial struggles and are unhappy.
Yet she wanted a place where she could work and serve the Lord simultaneously. When a friend introduced Faith to OM, which would allow her to work in finance and serve God, Faith reached out but eventually forgot about the whole thing. A few years later, Faith received a message about an opening in OM but still felt hesitation.
“But then the more I tried to run away from it, the more I was getting pulled in,” Faith admitted. “It felt like a spiritual tug-of-war between me and God. Deep down, I knew He was calling me to this role, but I resisted due to my own reservations. Ironically, the more I questioned God's plan, the more He affirmed that this was where I was meant to be and what I was meant to do at that time.”
In 2021, Faith stopped running and listened to the Lord as He called her to join OM in Malawi. Leaving behind the corporate world that Faith was used to, along with her job at a construction company, she relocated to a rural Muslim community. Women are often undervalued in this community, especially young unmarried women who don’t have children. It was difficult for Faith’s voice and opinions to be heard as she worked to spread the gospel. Faith reminded herself that many people did not want to listen to Jesus when He began teaching but He never gave up.
“It was really challenging for me in the beginning, but God has been faithful,” Faith said. “So whatever challenge I’m going through, I know that God is building me to be something great.”
Faith’s role with OM in Malawi involves overseeing finances and payroll, writing reports and going over government compliance issues. Beyond this, she also helps ministries to use the resources provided to them for good stewardship and lives out her faith in the community through her daily life.
Initially, Faith often thought about quitting because of the challenges of adjusting to a new cultural environment and overcoming financial difficulties. But each time, God showed her that her heart was still in missions. In 2022, Faith went to Zambia to complete REACH, a seven-month missions and discipleship training programme. During this time, she learnt that while people and communities may claim to know Christ, they may need more teaching and discipleship to truly know Him.
“I think God is calling me to do this and to help others to really draw closer to God and to know Him more,” Faith shared.
Faith called attention to Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).
During her time with OM, Faith felt God teaching her the importance of patience and humility. Even when Faith is overcome with the feeling that discipleship is not “working,” or there are no visible results, she urges herself to have patience and not give up. While listening to God’s calling to share His love with those who do not know it can be challenging and discouraging at times, it’s all for the glory of God and furthering His Kingdom and Faith urges people not to turn away from that.
“The first mistake is to be somewhere God doesn’t want you to be,” Faith said.
Pray with us for Faith Chipeta as she continues to work with OM in Malawi. Pray for God’s protection while she serves in the missions field. Pray that God will continue to use finance and Faith’s skills to further His Kingdom.